Key-arrester for cash-indicators



(No Model.) 2 S heetsSheet 1. O. B. HOPKINS.

KEY ARRESTBR FOR CASH INDICATORS.

No. 415,781. Patented Nov. 26, 1889.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

O. B. HOPKINS. KBYARRBSTBR FOR CASH INDICATORS. No. 415,781.

(No Model.)

Patented Nov. 26, 1889..

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UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CABEL B. HOPKINS, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUG KY.

KEY-ARRESTER FOR CASH-INDICATORS.

SPECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 415,781, dated November 26, 1889.

Application filed. October 26, 1888. Serial No. 289,169. (No model.)

description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a vertical fore and aft section of a cash register and indicator with my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2, a detailplan view of my mechanism for insuring a full and complete registration and indication and for locking the other keys when one or more keys have been only partially moved; Fig. 3, a detail perspective view of the same; Fig. 4:, a detail view, on an enlarged scale, showing my device or mechanism in side elevation and partly in section; Fig. 5, a detail enlarged View showing the ratchet-bar and the oper ation of the spring-arm on the stop-wing operating in connection therewith; and Fig. 6, a detail view in front elevation, showing a portion of the slotted key-plate and the guardplates on the keys for covering the key-slots.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The object of my invention is to provide means for use in connection with the keys of registering, indicating, combined registering and indicating, or other machines which shall insure a full and complete movement of any key or keys which may be actuated and prevent any other key or keys being subsequently moved until the previously-actuated key or keys shall have been returned to their normal position, and also means for preventing any tampering from without with the registering or indicating mechanism.

With these ends in view my invention consists in the key-arrester, in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the parts thereof, in the combination of the arrester and its parts with-the series of movable keys, and in the guard or protector for the registering and indicating mechanism, as hereinafter specified.

In the drawings I have shown my key arrester and guard in combination with the lever-ke'ys of a cash registering and indicating machine, such as is shown in the United States patent to Patterson, No. 383,007, of May 15, 1888; but I desire it to be understood that both the arrester and guard are applicable to other forms of machine or apparatus in which movable keys are used, and that I do not limit myself to that form shown in the drawings. The machine illustrated is taken merely as one of a class to which my invention is applicable and in which my key-arrester as a safety device is desirable and necessary in order to insure a full and complete registration each time that a key is moved.

As the form of the indicating and registering devices or mechanisms operated by the movement of the keys can be varied indefinitely without affecting my invention or changing the operation of my key-arrester or of the guard, such devices or mechanisms need not be described herein at length. Those shown are fully set forth and described in the patent referred to.

In the class of cash registers and indicators a full registration and indication and the proper sounding of the alarm are only secured when an operating key or lever is moved to a certain predetermined extent. here, as is usua1,a locking mechanism is employed to lock the indicating device as moved into full indicating position, such mechanism operates as the indicating device reaches the desired limit of its motion. In the class of cash registers and indicators it is then particularly necessary that some means should be provided for insuring movement of any key to the full extent to secure the proper actuation of the registering, indicating, and alarm devices before such key can return to its normal position. \Vhere, as is usual in cash'registers and indicators, and as is the case in the.

vised the safety devices which are shown in the drawings, and will be described hereinafter.

In the drawings, A A designate the sides of the mechanism-supporting frame to be inelosed in any desired form of easing B. Pivoted upon the shaft C, supported at its ends in the frame sides, are the keys D D for the actuation of the registering and indicating devices. J ournaled upon the shafts E E 7 above the keys D D are the wheels E E respectively, of the registeringmechanism such as is shown and described in the patent referred to, such mechanism being actuated at each movement of a key by a weighted pawl E on the key engaging the teeth of one of the wheels E The keys at their rear or inner ends project through vertical guiding-slots in the guide-plate F. The tablet-bearing indicator-rods G Gone for each key-are guided in the suitable openings in the bars G G extending across the machine and at their ends attached to the frame side plates A A. As shown, the bar G is made in one piece with or attached to the upper edge of the guide-plate F. The rear or inner ends of the keys D D project beyond the series of indicator-rods and the guide-plate F.

To the rear of and above the extreme ends of the keys when the latter are down or in their normal positions is pivoted the swinging Wing H, which I- call my key-arrester. Such wing, extending from side to side of the machine, has the two pivotal arms h 71- one at each end--pivoted to theframe-plates upon pivots h h. It has the two longitudinal bars or platesH H extending from one of the pivotal'arms to the other. These bars or platesare parallel with but at a short dis tance from each other, so as to leave a space between them. The bar H is in position to extend across the key ends and to restupon the tops of the same when the keys are down, or in their normal positions, and is at such a distance from the axis of the swing of the wing that as the rear end of any key is raised it and the bar will remain in engagement throughout the movement of the key. The other bar H is situated on the wing to the rear of the bar H, so as to leave space between the lower edge of the latter and the rear edge of the former, and is set nearer the axis of the swing of the wing than bar I-I, so that as the wing is swung the bar H will pass close to and above the ends of the keys D D. Such baror plate H is preferably curved on the arc of a circle described from the axis of movement of the wing as a center. The space between the two bars H H is suflicient to allow of the passage and play of a key end as such end is raised to elevate the bar H and swing the bar H forward and upward to stand over the unraised key ends, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4. With the key levers or'keys arranged so that when they are down, or in their normal positions, the rear ends are depressed below the level of their pivot-shaft, and the arrester pivoted so that its axis of motion is above and to the rear of the unraised key ends, all as shown in the drawings, the motion of the bar H as it is raised by one or more keys will be at first forward over the top of the raised key or keys, and will not be outward toward the key end until such end has moved up past the line between the key and wing pivots. Sufficient swing of a key can therefore be provided for without danger of the disengagement of the bar II from the key. Vhile this bar is being raised to swing the key-arrester, as described, the front edge of the bar H which normally stands to the rear and out of the path of the key ends,is moved forward toward and over the ends of the unraised keys and under the raised key or keys. WVith the parts in such position none of the previously-numoved keys can be moved, for the under side of the bar H effectually blocks their ends. lVhile the curved under or outer surfacev of this bar thus serves as a lock to prevent any more keys being raised, its upper edge, comingas it does under the previouslyraised key or keys, will prevent the latter from being moved back to the normal position again without a retrograde swinging of the wing H. In order, then, to insure the full movement of a key in one direction beforeit can commence its return movement, and to make it impossible to move another key until the key previously actuated has completed its full movement and has returned to its normal position, it is only necessary to pro vide means for insuring a full swing of the wing in one direction before it can move in the other direction. This desired end I secure by attaching to the wing H, at one end thereof, a spring-arm I, projecting from such wing substantially at right angles to the axis of the wings motion, and 011 the adjacent frame-plate A, I support a ratchet-toothed piece I, to be engaged by the spring-arm as the latter swings with the movement of the wing. This piece I is preferably curved, as shown, upon an are described from the pivot of the arm-carrying wing, so that the arm I can always be in engagement with it, and it is supported from the frame-plate by means of the arm 1 so that the spring-arm can pass on both sides of it. The piece is so situated that the middle line between its two sides is substantially in the plane in which the spring-arm I would swing were there nothing in its way. The ends of the piece are beveled on opposite sides, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to leave edges at the extreme opposite ends of the piece on opposite sides of the middle line through the piece. WVith this construct-ion the spring-arm as it swings in one direction will be engaged by an inclinez' at one end of the piece and sprung over so as to pass along the piece side. This movement of the arm along the side of the piece continues until the other end of the piece is reached. The arm then springs oil":

IO ratchet-piece into its first position.

the piece end into its normal position again a 'th'e arm over, so that it passes along and .{Lof its" motion with the wing II in opposite dipresses against the side of the piece Opposite to that along which the arm first passed.

Upon reaching the end of its backward travel the arm springs off of the end of the The length of the piece is such that the arm springs oif the piece ends just as it reaches the limit rections. On opposite sides of the piece I r 5 are oppositely-arranged ratchet-teeth "L whiclican be varied in number as desired. Theabrupt sides of the teeth on either side of the piQQQ are so arranged as to be engaged by the spring-arm, if such arm tends to move backward before completion of its movement along such side. I vWith the ratchetpiece of ,the length and" construction described and shown the opposite inclines on its opposite ends are in position tolengage the spring-arm 2 5 as it begins its movement in either direction and to spring it over so that it will pass along the properside of the piece. Obviously, instead of the spring-arm I, a rigid arm pivoted to the wing H and held. outin proper position 0 by means of oppositely-acting" ,springs could be used. Such arm should be pivoted to the wing so as to be capable of swinging in the directions in which the spring-arm end is sprung by the inclines on the ratchet-piece 3 5 Hand the oppositely-acting springs should tend to maintain it in "position with relation to the wing-axis occupied by the spring-arm when the latter is at opposite ends of its swing.

VVit-h the spring-arm I and the ratchet-piece o I arran ed and constructed as shown in the 4 a drawings, as a key is raised and swings the wing or arrester, the arm first is sprung out ward, so as to pass up along the outer side of the ratchet-piece, and when the key has com- 7 plete d its full upward novement and begins to descend the arm is'sprung inward to pass along the inner face of the piece. If desired, however, the piece and spring-arm can of course be arranged so that the arm first travels along the inner and then the outer side.

With the ratchet-teeth on both sides of the piece I and facing inopposite directions, as described, I make sure notonly that a key is raised to the full extent of its desired move- 5 ment, but also that suchkey cannot be raised again until it has completed its downward movement and reached its normal position again.

I contemplate, if desired, having the ratchetteeth only on the side of the piece engaged by the arm I as the arrester is moved by the first movement of a key, as I can then make sure of the completion of such movement in one direction; but I preferthe double arrangement of ratchet-teeth on both sides of the ratchet-piece, as making certain complete movements of the keys in both directions. If desired,,a spring can be used to aid in returning the arrester-wing to its normal position after it has been swung, as described, by a key or keys; but such spring is not necessary, as the key or keys which may have been raised will, by engaging the edge of the bar H as they descend, swing the wing, if its own weight is not sufficient to do so.

In the drawings I have not shown any keylocking bar and alarm-sounding mechanism to be operated as a key is raisedto cause an indication and registration, as, so far as my present invention is concerned, any desired form of such devices or mechanisms can be used. a

The operation of my key-arrester, which will be understood from the drawings and the description hereinbefore given, is briefly as follows: With the keys all down and the bar H resting upon their rear ends, it one key or several keys together be raised, the bar will be similarly elevated, so as to swing the wing H on its pivots. Such swinging of the wing brings the bar H over the ends of the unraised keys, so that if it be attempted to move one of such keys its end will abut squarely against the rounded under side of said bar. By the swinging of the wing the arm H is caused to ride over the incline t" on the end of the ratchet-piece, so that its upper end is sprung outwardinto position to pass along the outer ratchet-toothed side of such piece. As the arm rides over the first ratchet-tooth it snaps in behind the abrupt side of such tooth, so that it cannot return to its original position. The only motion which the arm and wing can then have is in the direction of their first movement by the raising of the key or keys. The wing being thus locked from return movement, the upper edge of the bar I-I brought below the partially-raised key or keys, will effectually prevent the same from dropping. The only possible movement of such key or keys is then in the direction for completing the partial movement, and no additional key can be actuated to make a registration or indication. As the movement of the partially-raised key or keys is continued the spring-arm rides 5 over the successive ratchet-teeth for preventing retrograde motion of the arm at different stages of its travel, and finally, as the raised key or keys complete their upward movement, the arm springs inward off of the end of the ratchet-piece and stands out of position for further engagement of the outer side of such piece. During its return travel down along the inner side of the ratchet-piece it is prevented from being raised again by the ratchet-teeth on such side of the piece. The swinging of the wing as the raised keys drop carries the bar H rearward and finally out of the track of the key ends. The springarin also rides oif of the lower end of the spring-piece and snaps again into position to IIO ride up the outer side of the piece as the wing is swung by the raising of one or more of the keys, as already described.

Where the apparatus is so arranged that the key ends are to be depressed in order to cause a registration and indication, the arrester can be easily inverted, so as to insure the full downward movement of the key ends and prevent the depression of another key while those previously actuated are depressed. Such inversion would not involve any departure from my invention as covered in this application.

In order to prevent any tampering with any part or parts of the registering or indicating mechanism through the key-slots b b in the front plate B of the casing, I provide each key with a guard D wider than the keyslot and curved on an arc of a circle described from the pivot of such key. The rear or inner side of the plate B is correspondingly curved, so that as the key is moved the guard D will always be in contact with or close to the inner surface of the plate on opposite sides of the key-slot, so that no wire or other means of tampering withthe mechanism within the casing can be introduced through the slot for allowing movement of the key.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination with a' movable key, a movable piece having a portion to be engaged by the key as the latter is moved and a portion to be brought under the key as the piece is moved by the key, and means for preventing backward motion of the piece until it has moved a certain predetermined distance, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In combination with a movable key, a movable piece having a portion to be engaged by the key as the latter is moved, and a portion to be brought under the key as the piece is moved by the latter, and a pawl-and-ratchet device for preventing retrograde movement of the piece and key until the latter has completed its full desired movement in one direction, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In combination with a series of movable keys, the key-arrester consisting of a movable piece having a part to be engaged by any key moved from its normal position, so that the piece will be moved, and a part to come below the moved key and over the unmoved ones to lock the latter, and means for preventing retrograde movement of the arresterpiece until the same has been moved by the actuated key a certain predetermined distance, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

4. In combination with a series of movable keys, a swinging piece having the bar extending across the series of keys, so that the piece will be swung as any key is moved, and a second bar adapted to be brought by the movement of the piece into position to 5. In combination with the series of mov able keys, the key-arrester consisting of the swinging wing pivoted to the rear of or beyond the key ends, having a bar extending across above the series of keys, and the second bar normally standing out of the track of the keyway and adapted to be brought by the swinging of the wing into position over the keys to lock the same from being raised, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In combination with a series of movable keys, the swinging wing having a bar extending across the ends of keys in position to be engaged by any moved key, and a second bar adapted to be brought by the swinging of the wing into position on the side of such key opposite to the first bar, a stationary ratchet-toothed piece, and a spring-pawl carried by the wing, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In combination with the series of movable keys, the key-arrester consisting of a swinging wing having a bar extending across above the ends of the keys, and the second bar adapted to be brought by the swinging of the wing into position above the ends of the unraised keys and when in that position to lock such keys, the spring-arm carried by the wing, and the ratchet-piece having teeth to engage the arm on the wing, so as to prevent retrograde movement of the wing, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

8. In combination with the series of keys, the key-arrester consisting of the wing having the bar to be engaged and moved by any raised key or keys, and the locking-bar to lock the other keys from movement while such previously-moved key or keys are raised, the spring-arm on the wing, and the ratchet piece provided with ratchet-teeth along one side adapted to be engaged by the spring-arm as the wing swings up, so shaped as to prevent retrograde movement of the arm, and having at its ends suitable guides to guide the arm over and cause it to pass along opposite sides of the piece as it swings in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In combination with the series of movable keys, the swinging wing having the bar standing normally across the series of keys, and the locking-bar adapted to be brought by the swinging of the wing below any raised key or keys and over any unraised keys, so as to lock the latter from movement, a spring-arm carried by the wing, and the ratchet-piece in the track of such arm, hav ing the oppositely-arranged ratchet-teeth 011 its opposite sides and its ends provided with opposite inclines to spring the arm over and cause it to pass along one side of the piece as it moves in one direction and along the other side as it moves back again, substantially as and for the purpose described.

10. In combination with the series of keys, the swinging Wing pivoted above and to the rear of the key ends and vhaving the bar adapted to normally stand across above the key ends in position to be engaged and moved by any raised key or keys, and the second bar situated nearer the axis of motion of the Wing than the first bar and having the curved outer face to swing over and lock the unraised key ends, a spring-arm carried by the Wing, and the ratchet-piece having oppo- 

